Conductor spreaders and ladder hangers



Dec. 6, 1960 W. F. ROTH CONDUCTOR SPREADERS AND LADDER HANGERS FiledJuly 14, 1958 ATTORNEY in-Fig.4; and n I Fig. dis a transversesectional'view, enlarged, taken Unite States Patent 9 CONDUCTORSPREADERS AND LADDER HANGERS William F. Roth, Jenkintown, Pa.Philadelphia Electrio Company, 1000 Chestnut St., Philadelphia 5, Pa.)

Filed July 14, 1958, Ser. No. 748,508

" Claims. (Cl. 182-46) It is the principal object of the presentinvention to w provide a conductor spreader and ladder support bracketwhich is particularly adaptable for use with the three-wire secondariescurrently employed, and which serves to separate and retain thesecondary wires in separated condition so as to prevent contact thereof,while at the same time providing a ladder support bracket or hanger.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device ofthe character aforesaid which reduces the likelihood of shock hazardwhile at the same time providing an adequate support.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device ofthe character aforesaid which is light in weight, suitable forattachment to ladders now in use, and may be readily attached to anddetached from such ladders, as desired.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device ofthe character aforesaid with which the tendency of side slippingof aladder supported thereby is ,greatly reduced.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device ofthe character aforesaid in which the spreader and support bracket is oflight weight nonelectrical conductive material, while at the same timehaving adequate strength.

' Other objects and advantageous features of the inve 'tion will beapparent from the description and claims.

The nature and characteristic features of the invention will be morereadily understood from the following description,'taken in connectionwith the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, in which:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a preferred embodirnent' of thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional; view taken approximately on the line 2-2of Fig. 1; p p Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken approximatelyon the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view in perspectiveof another preferred embodiment of 'thepresent invention;

Fig. 5 is a, side 'elevational view of the structure shown approximatelyon the line 6-.-6 of Fig; 4.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are illustrative merely, and that varia i fiss ens .e sh ss s anbe m s th ture disclosed without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3 of the drawings, theupper portion of a ladder is shown at 10 having the usual parallel siderails 11 and transversely disposed connecting rungs 12. Each of the siderails, for the use of the conductor spreader and ladder hanger of thepresent invention therewith, is provided with a plurality of openings13, three being shown. The three secondary or service wires are shown at14a, 14b and 140, in their customary vertical arrangement, andconventionally either the wire 14;: or the wire 14b is grounded with apotential of nominally volts between each of the ungrounded Wires andgrounded Wire, and a potential of nominally 240 volts between the twoungrounded wires.

In the form of the present invention shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 theconductor spreader and ladder hanger bracket preferably includes anelongated plate l5 of nonelectrical conductive material and for thispurpose marine plywood, and fiberglass impregnated with synthetic resin,have been found suitable. The plate 15 is preferably of substantiallyuniform thickness with opposite parallel side faces 16, an upper edgeface 17, a lower edge face 18 substantially parallel to the edge face17, and a front edge face 19.

Oppositely disposed with respect to the edge face 19 a plurality ofinclined edges 20, 21 and 22 are provided preferably of the sameinclination, and a plurality of inclined edges 23, 24 and 25 areprovided, preferably at a greater inclination than the edges 20, 21 and22. The edges 20 and 23, 21 and 24 and 22 and 25 extend in meeting orintersecting relation and the intersections can be rounded or fileted toprovide a plurality of sockets 26, 27 and 28 for each of the threeservice wires 14a, 14b and 14c. Between the respective pairs ofserration providing edges 20, 21 and 22 and 23, 24 and 25 side marginalconnecting edges 29 are provided and upper and lower side marginal edges30 and 31 are provided to complete the edge opposite to the front edgeface 19.

The sockets 26, 27 and 28 are preferably disposed in a common plane and,as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the plane is preferably in downwardlydiverging relation to the plane of the edge 19 to accommodate thetilting of the ladder 10 with its lower end resting on the ground orother horizontal support.

The plate 15 is preferably provided with a plurality of openings 33,three being shown, for alignment with the openings 13 of the ladderrails 11 and for the reception of bolts 34 on which wing nuts 35 aremounted for detachably securing the plates 15 in position on the ladder10 and with one of the side faces 16 in engagement with the outer sidefaces of the rails 11.

As illustrated, two plates 15 are preferably employed, one being securedto each of the rails 11.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 4, 5 and 6 of the drawings, inthe form of the invention there shown for attachment to the ladder 10,the elongated plate 15 preferably has tWo sections 15a and 15b disposedat an angle to each other in a plane. The plate 15 is also ofsubstantially uniform thickness with opposite parallel side faces 16, anupper edge face 17, a lower edge face 18 and a front acute angled edgeface 19'.

Oppositely disposed with respect to the portion of the edge face 19' ofthe section 15a, inclined edges 20, 21

a and 22 and inclined edges 23, 24 and 25 are provided as 3 the planecan be substantially p'arallel to the plane of the edge 19'.

The section 15b has a plurality of openings 33 for alignment with theopenings 13 in the ladder rails 11 for the reception of bolts 34 onwhich wing nuts 35 are mounted for detachably securing the plates 15' inposition on the ladder and with one of the side faces 16 in engagementwith one of the outer side faces of the rails 11.

The angular disposition of the sections a and 15b accommodates thetilting of the ladder It} with its lower end resting on the ground orother horizontal support.

The plate 15' can be provided with an edge stiffener 36, aligned withthe edge 19, and comprising a section of angle iron having one of itsflanges secured to the outer side face of each of the plates 19' bysuitable fasteners such as screws or rivets 37.

As illustrated, two plates 15' are preferably employed, one beingsecured to each of the rails 11 by the bolts 34 and wing nuts 35.

The mode of use will be apparent from the foregoing.

It can be noted that with the plates 15 or 15 secured to the ladder 10,in an upright or vertical position, with the sockets 26, 2'7 and 28 or26', 27 and 28' engaging the wires 14a, 14b and 140, respectively, thewires 14a, 14b and Me will be spread at their desired or normal verticalspacing, free from likelihood of contact with each other or with theuser and that the ladder 10 Will be effectively supported in tiltedposition for use.

Adequate support against side slipping will also be provided.

If desired the plates 15 or 15' can be readily detached so that theladder 10 is not restricted for only a special character of use.

The plates 15 or 115 in position do not furnish any substantialobstruction to the normal use of the ladder.

The ladder It} with the plates 15 or 15 secured thereto can be readilyhooked onto or unhooked from the service wires 14a, 14b and Me, asdesired.

I claim:

1. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a pluralityof recesses along one longer marginal edge with interior sockets eachfor engagement with an electrical conductor, and means for attachingsaid plate to a ladder.

2. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a first sidemarginal edge with a portion for disposition in parallel relation to therail of a ladder, an opposite side marginal edge having a plurality ofspaced recesses therealong with interior sockets each for engagementwith an electrical conductor, said sockets being disposed in a commonplane, and means for attaching said plate to a ladder.

3. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a first sidemarginal edge with a portion for disposition in parallel relation to therail of a ladder, an opposite side marginal edge having a plurality ofspaced recesses therealong with interior sockets each for engagementwith an electrical conductor, said sockets being disposed in a commonplane inclined with respect to at least a part of said first marginaledge, and means for attaching said plate to a ladder.

4. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a firstmarginal edge with a portion for disposition in parallel relation to therail of a ladder, an opposite marginal edge having a plurality of spacedrecesses therealong with interior sockets each for engagement with anelectrical conductor, said sockets be ing disposed in a common planeparallel to at least part of said first marginal edge, and means forattaching said plate to a ladder.

5. In combination with a ladder having spaced vertical side rails,spaced parallel plates secured to sides of each of said rails at theupper ends thereof and extending from the plane of the ladder in thesame direction, each of said plates having a plurality of spacedrecesses therealong with interior sockets each for engagement with oneof parallel electrical conductors, said sockets being disposed in acommon plane in spaced relation to said rails.

6. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical noneonductive material having a pluralityof recesses along one longer marginal edge with interior sockets eachfor engagement with an electrical conductor, said sockets being disposedin a common plane and said plane being inclined with respect to anopposite upwardly extending edge of the plate, and members for attachingsaid plate to a ladder.

7. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a pluralityof recesses along one longer marginal edge with interior sockets eachfor engagement with an electrical conductor, the margins of each of saidrecesses being disposed at an acute angle with respect to each other,and means for attaching said plate to a ladder.

8. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a first sidemarginal edge with a portion for disposition in parallel relation to therail of a ladder, an opposite side marginal edge having a plurality ofspaced recesses therealong with interior sockets each for engagementwith an electrical conductor, the margins of each of said recesses beingdisposed at an acute angle with respect to each other, said socketsbeing disposed in a common plane, and means for attaching said plate toa ladder.

9. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material, said plate havinga plurality of connected non-aligned sections in a common plane, saidplate having a first side marginal edge with a portion for dispositionin parallel relation to the rail of a ladder, an opposite side marginaledge having a plurality of spaced recesses therealong with interiorsockets each for engagement with an electrical conductor, said socketsbeing disposed in a common plane, and means for attaching said plate toa ladder, one of said sections having said sockets therealong and theother of said sections having said attaching means therealong.

10. An electrical conductor spreader and ladder support comprising anelongated plate of electrical nonconductive material having a pluralityof connected nonaligned sections in a common plane, said plate having afirst side marginal edge with a portion for disposition in parallelrelation to the rail of a ladder, an opposite side marginal edge havinga plurality of spaced recesses therealong with interior sockets each forengagement with an electrical conductor, said sockets being disposed ina common plane, and means for attaching said plate to a ladder, theupper of said sections having said sockets therealong and the lower ofsaid sections having said attaching means therealong, and said platehaving a stiffening member extending therealong in spaced relation tosaid sockets along the first side marginal edge thereof.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,964,067 Leach et a1 June 26, 1934 1,994,369 Risser Mar. 12, 19352,788,167 Morrison Apr. 9, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 680,797' Germany Sept.7. 1939

